"That''s unnecessary, Mother. I''m not a child anymore. You can''t win me over with candy."


    Elizabeth froze, frowning as she tried to cover her sh of embarrassment.


    "Jonathan, what are you saying? Your uncle and aunt have always sent you gifts. They care about you. They call often just to check in—"


    Jonathan''s lips curved slightly, his tone cutting. "Their gifts alwayse with a price tag. It''s very much like you. I guess it does run in your side of the family."


    The Hoff family''s kindness was all surface. Every time his uncle called, it was just to find a way to carve something off the Fullbuster Group.


    And Elizabeth, the mother who imed to care, was no different.


    If he hadn''t been the heir to Fullbuster Group, if he hadn''t brought her the wealth and status she unted, she wouldn''t have even remembered to call him her son.


    The tension around Jonathan felt thick and cold, and Anneliese sensed it more than anyone.


    Worried, she leaned closer and slid her hand into his, resting on his knee.


    Jonathan looked down. Her small hand covered his, trembling slightly as she tried to hold on, to give him warmth.


    The ice in his eyes softened for a moment. He turned his palm over and held her hand instead, his thumb brushing across her skin in a quiet promise that he was all right.


    Elizabeth''s face drained of color. Her eyes reddened, her pride stung by his cutting words.


    It took her a moment to find her voice. "Jonathan, what do you mean by that? I''m your mother. I carried you, raised you. All I did was point out what''s wrong with your wife, and this is how you treat me?"


    She pointed straight at Anneliese, making it clear who she med for Jonathan''s coldness.


    Anneliese had been silent the entire time. She hadn''t expected Elizabeth to turn her fury on her so suddenly.


    She didn''t even understand what was happening or why Elizabeth hade at all.


    Jonathan''s arm tightened around her waist. His gaze darkened as it fell on Elizabeth''s raised finger. His voice turned hard.


    "All you did was point out what''s wrong? That''s what you call it? My wife is right here. Do you want to say it to her face?"


    Elizabeth had chosen her words carefully before, trying to drive a crack between them.


    She knew Jonathan must have already uncovered what happened at the family estate, which exined why he had gone after the Hoff family.


    But now, in front of Anneliese, he had stripped away her liespletely, leaving her with nothing but humiliation.


    How could she ever demand respect from her daughter-inw again?


    Jonathan had shredded what was left of her authority and dropped it right at Anneliese''s feet, making sure she''d never hold that power again.


    Elizabeth''s chest rose and fell sharply Her breathing quickened her vision darkened for a second. Her palm struck the armrest with a dull thud that filled the silence.


    "I just didn''t want you to marry a divorced woman and be a joke!


    Wasing it for your own good!


    There are plenty of women inthis city who are better than her! You-"


    Jonathan cut her off, frowning as he pulled Anneliese up beside him.


    "The woman I married is the best."


    He instantly regretted letting Anneliese hear even a second of Elizabeth''s venom.


    Even with him there, Elizabeth hadn''t bothered to hide her disgust. He could only imagine what she''d said when Anneliese was alone with her.


    Compared to this, the distance he once felt from Anneliese''s family seemed meaningless.


    "Margot, see her out," Jonathan said tly.


    Margot hurried in from the kitchen.


    Elizabeth saw him holding Anneliese''s hand, ready to leave, and she jumped up, blocking his path.


    She took a shaky breath, forcing her tone lower even as her words bit like steel.


    "Fine. I get it. She''s your precious


    treasure, untouchable. But you can''t destroy every contract between


    Fullbuster Group and the Hoff family


    because of her content


    "I''ve wasted enough breath worrying about you. I won''t interfere again. But you''ll pick up the phone right now and fix that deal!"


    Jonathan''s decision hit her like a jolt.


    Anneliese looked up, stunned. She hadn''t known he''d canceled the Hoff family''s contract.


    He''d never mentioned it before. Now it was clear why Elizabeth had chased them all the way to Oceaton, her face stormy and furious.